We Join FSCC For National Social Care Rally

Colleagues and people supported by Community Integrated Care took centre stage at a major social care rally held alongside the Labour Party Conference, ensuring the voices of those who draw on support were heard in important discussions about the future of the sector.

On Sunday 27th September, we joined the Future Social Care Coalition‘s ‘Caring About Care Rally’ in Liverpool. The event brought together people with lived experience of social care, care providers, campaigners and politicians to highlight the vital role social care plays in people’s lives and communities.

The rally was attended by Minister of State for Care, Alison McGovern MP, and focused on raising awareness of the importance of social care and the need for the voices of people with lived experience to be at the centre of future policymaking.

Representing Community Integrated Care at the event were Managing Director Edd Terrey, Susan Hill, who is supported by our charity in Runcorn, and Matt Price, who has been supported through our charity’s programmes.

Together, they spoke about the impact that high-quality social care can have on people’s lives and shared their experiences and perspectives with attendees. Their contributions helped ensure that conversations about the future of social care were informed by the real experiences of people who access support every day.

The event was a powerful reminder of the importance of political engagement and representation for people who draw on social care. By sharing their lived experiences directly with politicians, policymakers and sector leaders, Susan and Matt demonstrated the value of involving people with first-hand experience in shaping the future of services and influencing decisions that affect their lives – a key goal for our charity as part of our Best Lives, Bolder strategy.

Commenting on the event, Edd Terrey said:
“It was a real privilege to stand alongside Susan and Matt and hear them share their experiences with such honesty and impact. Events like this are essential in ensuring that people who draw on support are not only included in conversations about the future of social care, but are helping to shape and lead them.”

“It is equally important that we reflect the full diversity of social care, ensuring that people with a wide range of support needs, backgrounds and life experiences have a meaningful voice in developing a National Care Service. By listening to and learning from those with lived experience, we can create a system that is more inclusive, responsive and shaped by the people it exists to support.”